S. 1052, Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act

Summary

S. 1052 would authorize the appropriation of $23 million annually over the 2020-2027 period for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop advanced technologies to extract rare earth elements and minerals from coal and coal byproducts. In 2019, DOE allocated $18 million for such activities. The bill also would direct DOE to submit a report to the Congress on the development of such technologies.

Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, and assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1052 would cost $66 million over the 2019-2024 period and $165 million over the 2019-2029 period.

The costs of the legislation (detailed in Table 1) fall within budget function 270 (energy).